“A WONDERFUL MOMENT. IT SETS A NEW TONE.”
Cooperation, optimism all the talk after LP meeting
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1:10 pm - Today’s Lighthouse meeting started at 11:05 am and ended a little bit after noon. When it was over, the four principals did everything except hold hands. Well, actually, Charles Wang and Kate Murray did hold hands while a beaming union official triumphantly yelled, “I want a copy of that picture”!
Tom Suozzi, with Murray seated to his right and Wang and Scott Rechler to his left, described the showdown as “a very productive meeting.” The Nassau County Executive said, “We have turned the page. There is a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration.” He outlined three decisions agreed to by the four leaders at the meeting.
1. The Town of Hempstead has committed to holding a hearing on the completeness of the project’s environmental impact statement on July 7. This July 7.
2. Suozzi adamantly declared, “This project is no longer just in the hands of the Town of Hempstead.” It seems pretty clear that Murray was sick and tired of her Town being the poster child for the lack of movement on the Lighthouse Project. Suozzi went out of his way to list all of the other parties involved, including the State, the County and the developers. The message was clear: everyone needs to stop making this all about Murray.
3. Murray, Suozzi, Wang and Rechler agreed to a rough schedule of responsibilities, a document that will be made public within ten days. Said Suozzi: “Everyone will work together to make sure everything is being done in a timely maner.”
Kate Murray said the meeting was “great” and “we’re going to work cooperatively.”
Wang called it “a wonderful moment” and said it “sets a new tone. We’re not looking back, we’re looking forward.” He offered the potential for compromise by reiterating his stance for months regarding the Town: “If you say no, tell me what it is you don’t like and then I’ll tell you yes or no.”
Asked about his October 3 deadline, the Islanders owner said, “I want to have certainty by the start of the hockey season. If there is no certainty, we will explore other options. It doesn’t mean we are leaving immediately. This is our home. We don’t want to leave home.”
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139 Responses to ““A WONDERFUL MOMENT. IT SETS A NEW TONE.”
Cooperation, optimism all the talk after LP meeting”
Please Wait
HOPE!!!!!!
great to hear! hopefully this is the major turning point that we’ve been hoping for.
I see light!!!!
Now we can get back to discussing the SJ pick.
I am confident we are staying put…..I still would prefer a new building instead of a renovated arena.
Wow! Best news to come out of the Lighthouse saga - maybe ever!
good news?
It seems like the Isles have taken steps in the LH, on the ice, the draft will be huge. Get mean some mean and skilled d-men and I’ll be darn happy about this summer.
this is great news, though i don’t think we should forget about or underestimate the whining power of garden city and other such “bubble villages” in the general proximity.
however their anti-everybody-except-them attitude can be exposed and showing in poor taste like a grandmother’s bloomers if the right strategic PR moves are made. this is what we must hope for.
very exciting!
Meet me at the lighthouse.
JT+project= Party down Hempstead
Does Wang’s full plan include a new arena or a renovated one? I would hope if somehow this whole project is built we get a new arena.
wow, things for the isles are suddenly looking very good, many things to be excited about….NOW DRAFT TAVARES!!!!
ryan, the arena is going to be renovated
great news. this should make the draft party feel even better.
This is great news. Expect a redesigned LH project, scaled down by at least half.
Murray saves face, Suozzi saves face and Wang gets to develop the land on smaller but still profitable scale.
And we keep our team!
I’m not sure I’m buying this
see? I didn’t need to drive to mineola today. oh happy day.
Wow I’ve been following this forever and didn’t realize that it only called for a renovation. I suppose they can do amazing things through renovation, I know they are going to spend $500 million to do it to MSG. At least this looks like good news….time to draft Tavares and get this franchise going.
Politicians are great at grandstanding. I truly believe Wang is a good guy, he isn’t stupid enough to reject the notion that this could be Murray and Suozzi needing things to quiet down for their personal agendas.
I hope to look back on this and say it was a positive turning point; but could it be clever politicians stalling the inevitable.
a proper renovation will retain the classic spirit of FORT NEVERLOSE for the next generation. i think it’d be way more cool to have the ‘new old barn’ rather than a totally new ostentatious arena, a la the new yankee stadium and citi field. what they did with those places is pretty shameful.
Ryan - Yep, it’s a reno. However, if you read through the documentation (the Lighthouse Group’s winning proposal, which can be found on the Nassau County website), you’ll see that it’s an extensive job, both inside and out. When it’s completed, you won’t recognize the NVMC.
Its decipher between what politicians say as opposed to what they mean. However, this is all we have to go on at this moment and it sounds like great news! So lets hope they mean what they are saying and things truly are looking up for our team.
Wow wow wow. I am shocked at how this situation has turned in such a short time span.
The only thing that we must be wary of is that prior to McElroy getting the nomination many on this and other boards discussed how Murray would change her tune and then not come through in the end. We can’t forget that such exact scenario COULD be exactly what is playing out. Truthfully, I DON’T think that is the case because she has gone from either not caring about the public’s perception of her stance on the issue or wanting the public to think she is against it to wanting to be viewed as trying to move forward. She has not tinkered with what she wants the public to think of her stance, she has changed her stance drastically.
We just have to hope that the Repubs have realized that this is a losing issue for them and that it makes sense to move forward (possibly just on a smaller scale).
This is a HUGE day.
The Islanders should still move to Queens.
I would bet Wang told them informally he would be very flexible in scaling it back somewhat…the only thing that could make the day better is if Wang handed Murray a Tavares vintage Isles Jersey…boo-yah!!
ill believe the hopw when i see some clear evidence that they are moving forward. ie. move along the stages of the project. dont buyall this hope crap becuase politicians will always be politicians……they want to get good pr for the upcoming elections…both murray andsuozzi had their perosnal motives todo this besides the LH…..they want good press so they can get re-elected….ill ascertain wheather progress is being made after i see more than verbal agreements….i hope you all do too so don’t be sucked in yet
The arena will be renovated but it will be a MAJOR renovation. Its not like they are slapping a new coat of paint on it, its going to be the cornerstone of the whole LHP. It will look like a completely new arena. Just look at the pictures and explanation on the lighthouse website. Larger concourses, more bathrooms, brand new seating (and more seating), more luxary boxes, and a completely new refacing. You wont be able to tell it was once the NVMC.
This is a great day for this franchise. Lets keep moving forward!
Finally things are pointing in the right direction. There will still probably be roadblocks but with meetings now being attended by all parties and with other options quickly materializing things should continue down this road. I personally will not celebrate until the town says to Wang we will get this done and he declares that the team is going nowhere. Then and only then will I be sure that a shovel goes in the ground on this project. We have been close like this before however this time there seems to be traction and we should get more news soon!
“the only thing that could make the day better is if Wang handed Murray a Tavares vintage Isles Jersey…boo-yah!!”
I second that one.
All that is missing was the four of them breaking out into a rendition of “We are the world”.
Good for Charles, Scott, Kate and Tom. Good move for both Kate and Tom -
Being an Islander fan, I reserve the right to “believe it when I see it” - however, lets just say we had a good day. Here’s hoping that by October, we can have some sort of acceptable solution in place - so we can start preparing for a big Stanley Cup run !
Pat
??? 1. The Town of Hempstead has committed to making a decision regarding the completeness of their studies at a Town Board meeting on July 7. This July 7. ???
WTF does that even mean?
I hope that this is a turning point. It really is amazing how much Murray’s stance has changed. Maybe all of us fans being in there face and the fact that most people on Long Island really do support this project has changed her mind. If we have JT and a new arena deal by the beginning of next season, I will be more than thrilled!
I do wonder how much faster the Isles could have a new arena if it was built next to the NVMC and they were able to work year round (weather permitting)? Seems like 2 years. I know with the scope of the LH all the space is accounted for but I do wonder why they didn’t due it that way and then tear down the NVMC and put something else there.
Still great news. Can you imagine opening night in the new building? Still I know this project has a long way to go but the past week seems like all parties now want the project.
I will not get my hopes up too high. I will believe it when they start building. In the meantime, build the other thing we want, which is a winning team. Draft Tavares and give Gaborik a blank check.
a step in right directions. that is all that matters.
Also, that clown Al Strachan on foxsports (former toronto) write out again saying burke making some master plan for Tavares. Yeah sure. At this point this is the most confident i have been that we will get Tavares with #1.
Combine that with postive LHP meeting today and im feeling great right now.
I don’t care if the project is to make the coliseum worse, I just want the Isles in Nassau.
At this juncture, I don’t think we could’ve realistically hoped for anything better than this. I feel hopeful for the first time in a while.
This is definitely getting our hopes up. I think the Governor stepping in may have something to do with this.
Thank God!
TWO things i WILL miss about the old coliseum . . . ten dollar student tickets and sitting wherever the heck i wanted after the first period! here’s to jeff tambellini having a 50 goal season next year . . .
Question: why can’t we sit back for a moment and enjoy this? This is a real sign of progress, and I’d have to believe that grassroots pressure had something to do with it. I think Murray began to see the light in terms of an angry, vocal opposition that was going to complicate her life, especially have you have a Republican boss going nuts on a voter and embarrassing the GOP. All of a sudden the governor shows interest, and if you don’t think that’s a nudge, well …
To continue to trash Murray is to offer no incentive for her to cooperate. Velvet glove, iron fist … or, in the words of LI’s own president, speak softly, but carry a big stick … in the form of this fall’s election. Get’s show a little political savvy.
Sounds very positve, and in an election year, who would have guessed.
johnRVC (3): “I see light!!!!”
Perhaps it will soon be “I see lightHOUSE!!!!”
This is looking good- I am happy Kate Murray decided to do this. Please, everyone, please consider leaving POSITIVE feedback on this. I already did. After all, when an elected official does what we want them to do, we need to let them know that it is truly appreciated.
Get it done. I’d love to see the timeline on that document.
see what an upcoming election can do to light a fire under the seat of kate murray?
I haven’t felt this good since Spano bought the team.
I hope it’s all good news from here leading up to the Draft. By October, the project will be approved, and it will be a true exciting year ahead.
it’s amazing the effect that an upcoming election will have on a politician seeking re-election…Murray has to know that people tend to ignore party affiliations if they think their local team might pick up and leave…but LI has to keep the pressure on because all leverage is lost once election day comes and goes
This is another good day in Islander Country. I’ll say GREAT hopefully on the 26th after Garth announces Tavares as our first overall pick, and again after final Lighthouse approval! This is the most hopeful I’ve felt about the Isles in a looong time. Everything just has to work out for us. As far as a renovated NVMC, I’m glad it”s a major renovation as opposed to a new building - we keep our link to the glory days, as well as the the best sightlines and most intimate feeling of any arena in the NHL.
for those thinking brooklyn was an option -including me - as i live near the site - fawgeddaboutit.
ratner has scaled down the nets arena and it now will be a basketball only venue. this appears in today’s times’ article, which specifically points out ‘no hockey.’ the timing of all this is very interesting, and i think bodes well for the Nassau Islanders.
Like some of the previous posters, I will remain a bit skeptical considering this is all happening around election time, however, I am happy that the sides have been finally able to meet. Whether the project must get scaled back or other changes need to be made, it’s a good sign to see that the two sides are finally working together.
Isles fans contain the excitement. Nothing was accomplished today. Sure it was nice to see everybody blowing smoke up each other butts…BUT remember…when Kate Murray comes back with a TON of changes, Charles B. Wang will be forced to make a decsion. Stick his behemoth ego in a draw & follow orders OR dig heels in & fight.
Honestly, the only thing this meeting immediately accomplished is now Charles B. Wang’s minions will stop harrassing Kate Murray on the ‘net. This meeting bought Kate Murray time. By October, Charles B. Wang’s minions will be at it again if no agreement has been reached.
I’d love to see Islander fans develop their own opinions. Charles B. Wang tells you to hate Kate Murray you hate her, this morning he commanded…”you must love Kate Murray”, now many of you have purchased Kate Murray posters. Don’t be sheep. Be Islander fans. Kate Murray was NEVR the only one harming your team. NEVER.
Sounds good… still not buying it.
This is Murray and her party’s attempt to salvage themselves in a re-election year.
She knows her behavior has threatened her re-election and this is the answer for that. To sit and play nice.
I want to see what happens AFTER the election is over.
Let’s see her behavior and approach then.
#47: amazing. line of the day perhaps.
TAVARES!
oh Tom… nice to know that negativity is so strong in you… maybe it’ll keep it away from the rest of us.
I know it’s not even close to over, but I have the most hope that I’ve had in a looong time today. Get er done!
Hey Tom- if everyone who has been frustrated with this situation and says so is being dismissed as “Wangs minions” then what does that make you?
We shall see.
I don’t understand how some can’t take anything positive away from this latest development. This project seemed dead in the water only weeks ago and now there is at least a small glimmer of hope.
DOSE #51.
I just read the article. Very Interesting note…. The Frank Gehry designed arena has been scraped because of cost saving. The new architect is “Ellerbe Becket”. Take a wild guess what he designed, The Sprint Center in Kansas City. On their website, it says, “…The city and arena partner AEG are working to bring an NBA or NHL franchise to the arena.”
tom, i think you’re misapplying your cynicism here. i don’t like to speak for others but it is safe to say that we are not sheep. it was the actions of others which led to the reactions of us, and while you do bring up a good point, give us a little more credit. wang ain’t telling anyone how to think, just like he wasn’t paying anyone to stir the pot either. we should definitely remain wary of the town of hempstead while encouraging and commending them when they do the right things, just like we admonished them when they did not.
This is wonderful news! I just want to hug Kate Murray….she is so cuddly…LOL!!!! Seriuosly no more hate on Kate. Tavares and lighthouse!!!!I am one happy Islander fan!
fantastic news. things are looking up.
maybe things will start moving and later this month
we will have the #1 pick in the draft. Plus a few more blue chip prospects coming in.
GO ISLES
how about a big clap to this blog (and other efforts like nik and bd) for keeping the foot on the throat of the parties that be
clap clap
Just another peak in the rollercoaster that is the lighthouse. I for one am not putting my hands in the air and enjoying the ride quite yet. Im just gonna ride this out, for all we know this could be some political posturing by Murray now she can delay the project into the ground and not take blame for any of it all the while giving her just enough time to win reelection.
I’m down in NJ after leaving Hicksville almost 10 years ago……my son will see his first hockey game…..and it will be on Long Island. CB, Charles, John Tavares, fellow fans all across North America….can you hear it? Can you feel it??
THE DRIVE FOR 5 IS STILL ALIVE!!!!!
More interesting news, Hermann from Newsday reports that the Brooklyn project now will not be able to include hockey because they won’t be spending money for the ice components.
He also says it is very possible the entire project will be scrapped and all of a sudden we might be back to the Net and Isles playing on LI. At any rate, Brooklyn is not an option.
BEST NEWS I HEARD IN A WHILE! MORE NEWS LIKE THIS AND ILL BE OPTIMISTIC - THIS COULD BE TURNING INTO A GREAT FEW WEEKS FOR THIS ORGANIZATION!
Strummer’s (68) - I have been a firm believer that the Nets coming to Long Island wouldn’t be the worst thing. I know it wont make or break the lighthouse deal but with an NBA franchise playing 40+ home games in the complex, it just adds to it’s appeal.
I’m going to be skeptical and not count my chickens just yet.
Murray? Present.
Great news at last. Maybe things are finally coming together.
First of all… it is good news they are talking.
They are involving more people and are setting deadlines.
That is huge.
Who cares why Kate is taking part of this. Maybe it is because it is an election year, and she need good PR.
Whatever it takes to get it done.
Sure it will be scaled back quite a bit, but really did anybody think it was going through as planned.
Let’s just hope Wang and Company can get as much in before the elections are over.
They are basically using each other to get what they want.
Wang gets his Playland, and Kate is still the Queen of her Kingdom.
Win/Win.
chris tmc or post 59,
i completely agree with everything the guy said besides the “minions” part. thats just child talk. but your argument makes absolutely no sense becuase he never explicilty or impled frustration with murray. just becuase ppl have differing opinions doesn’t mean you should twist their words to make yourself feel better.
First that interview with Tavares, now a glimmer of hope in Lighthouse development news, what a week! Could this be a turning point for the franchise? Lighthouse and JT, get ‘er done! Let’s go Islanders!
This is all part of the negotiation process, but the first step is to get people to actually negotiate. I’m sure Wang has already hinted at his walkaway position that will allow something to get done and still allow everyone to save face.
I think a pig just flew by my window
part of me is nervous that Kate just showing up to stop the abuse she getting. Maybe have people warm up to her. Just enough to get her vote and campaign on roll, then just hose us all again come october.
I’m not sold, I have more confidence we are getting Tavares than the LHP going thru.
keeping my fingers crossed worked. i’m going to cross them on both fingers till then. the 7th is the day after my birthday, another positive step would be a great present
Are we FINALLY coming to a point where this franchinse can finally regain some much need positive publicity??? Drafting Tavares and the Lighthouse Project moving in the right direction can flip this franchise a full 180 degrees…. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!
I won’t be convinced till we hear what changes to the Lighthouse Project are demanded by Murray and crew. If they continue to demand a refurbish of the NVMC, without a firm commitment to the Lighthouse Project as proposed, then this is just more of the same. I am hopeful though.
This is the first step in Kate Murray’s re-election campaign. She is simply playing the “game”!
Things are looking up…….faith my fellow Islander fans……keep the faith
The project is too important that compromise could not be reached. This is a good first step in negotiations. Expect
changes in the plans and for Wang to shelve his “deadline.”
My own opinion is that the high rise apartments will be scaled back and that the baseball stadium will be removed from the plan.
Now take Travares………Sir William
I just hope it finally gets done..
Well okay.
It is both hard to get excited and easy to get a bit of hope up at the same time.
Most important thing to me was Wang and Murray holding hands. A symbolic gesture yes, but one which confirms to me that we should be following Wang’s lead with our own actions. He wants to take a gentler approach and we would be wise to take his cue. If he needs our help in a more forceful way he’ll make that pretty obvious and we’ll be there. I think..
Not to be a party downer here but I would still be wary of Murray. She didn’t start cooperating with this project until a Demorcratic opponent was named in the upcoming election. Lets not forget the Republican party leader Mondello yelling at an islander fan to blow it out his duffle bag and declaring that Wang was paying people to speak out against Murray. I hope Im wrong and this isn’t all a smoke and mirror act by Murray, but Id be cautious to get to optimisitic
i want this to happen so bad…and again DRAFT JT…tell him i got him a free pair of any Islander colored sneakers we got in right now
good news
Murray for President!!!
I think while there is an element of truth to the “Wait and see” approach to Kate Murray’s newfound attitude, I do think the TOH realized that they would be painted as the bad guys and decided it was time to play ball. I have maintained all along something would get done, and I still believe that. Whether this was an election year concession or a true change of heart, the result is the same… A public show of unity and that is nothing short of remarkable.
The TOH might be caving to the pressure of having Gov. Patterson and Suozzi backing the Lighthouse! Murray doesn’t want to be seen as the only blocking point now! Progress!!!This is the first time in a long time I feel that there is a chance that something will be built on Hempstead Tpke.!Who knows, maybe us Isle fans can get back to just worrying about Hockey!! I wonder what that’s like?
And I hate to agree with Tom Eagles (#53) but Kate Murray will come back with changes. The point that Tom fails to make is that Wang and co. KNOW this already. One doesn’t ever give a contract in negotiation that they expect to be signed off on without any concessions, and this would not be a surprise nor are they not expecting it. Wang already has revisions to the scope in the can, so to speak, mark my words.
let there be light…house
finally some good news for once.
I agree with #30 Wang should have given Murray a vintage Tavares Jersey!!!!
AMEN AMEN AMEN… Lets go Islanders….
Tavares, #26 #31 #37 I cant wait till this draft…
THERE IS A GOD!
I also have to add…. Just went on the Islanders website and no mention of the meeting! This is the best site!! I’m thinking the team saves money by not hiring someone to do their website because of this site. WTG Chris. Botta Bing
Their have been many peaks and valleys along this road to completing the LHP. I for one will believe it when all parties involved have signed on the dotted line.
tom (53) I think is right, we can’t trust this situation. Agin she didn’t start agreeing to all these meetings till she announced her re-election campaign and Mcelroy was named her opponenet. Whats the best way for Murray to take Isles fans support out of mcelroys camp, make them beleive she is all of a sudden pro lighthouse.
Oh my good god, this is tremendous news. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to rightly call myself “cautiously optimistic” about the LHP before, but perhaps I now am. We’ll see if Wang can stay afloat in NY/Nassau/TOH’s regulatory churn now. Yeah, perhaps Murray/Mondelo’s shrewder than we thought (as they didn’t have to flip on this; she’s going to win handily), but perhaps their benefits with the project than without.
This is def about Gov. Patterson getting involved. Maybe this was Wangs’ master stroke. Or at least the first salvo in it.
anyone want to bet that right after election day, especially if she wins again that this is totally stonewalled again as usual
i remember reading something that in the NY state constitution, there is a provision which would permit the governor to straight up override and the town of hempstead zoning laws, and the zoning status of the proposed land. that would make it in her best interest to cooperate, to avoid both embarrassment and open hostility. if anyone has any more info on that, definitely post it, i’d research it myself but i’m out the door.
Finally agree with Sir William….for once! We do have a million reasons not to trust Murray during an election year, remember, Mondello is running the show…
Posts (53) (101) I am afraid you guys hit the nail on the head.
First Kate M can’t campaign or show her face at any public meeting without having some Islanders harass her (score one for the good guys). All Kate did today was buy herself enough time to campaign and win her election. The $hit won’t hit the fan until the october date passes and there is no Lighthouse project by then Kate will have either garnered enough support for re-election OR blame some other party involved for the delay.
Kate is a wolf in sheeps clothing. I say vote her out regardless!
I’m not gettin my hopes up yet but JT plus LH approval? Man I’ll be a happy fan come October.
Question for everyone posting:
What do you REALLY think was said behind closed doors by these four? What the heck could have been said in a couple of hours to get Murray to do a 180 and set a timetable? And what in God’s name would have had to have been said for them to all come out of the meeting holding hands?!?!?!
Seriously, any thoughts?
battery jackson, Im sure the endorsement from the governor and the fact that hes assigning his own liaison to expedite the process is tremendous leverage over Murray…
This is good news, but the proof will be in actual substantive action. To answer the question on “WTF” the completeness hearing means - Murray will be holding a hearing to determine whether the environmental review is ready to go into the next big part, which is public comments. Public comments are a major part of the process because the public’s input is supposed to have the most to do with informing the final scope (i.e. what they actually build). This is a positive step forward, but if public comments are now not held in July or early August you have to look at whether they’re stonewalling again. Problem is the law is ambiguous - it only says you move into public review when the environmental impact statement is “deemed acceptable for public review.”
As for the Murray bashing - let’s keep it on actions. She deserved criticism for many of her actions, but her recent actions have all been good and positive. This is not a time, either, to stop pressuring elected officials - they still need to know how much this means to us.
OMG!!! OM-F’NG-G!!!!
I told all of you to get the cameras and make this a reality show. Ratings through the roof!!!
The deal is that politics is politics. No one does anything without a reason. I personally could care less what anyones reasons are. All I want is for my team, since I was 7 in 1973 to stay on Long Island. F-everyone and everything else.
Now is the time to turn the heat up on Kate, Suozzi, Chuck, unions, TOH, and Gov Patterson. Don’t let them take a breathe. The LH deal only happens if we the people keep an eye on these shifty mother-f’ers until the construction is complete.
Power to the Islander fans!!!!
Not for nothing but Kate has to be the stupidest politician ever. Talk about flip-flopping. She must be some piece of work to live with. God bless that dude.. ooo-faa!!!!
wang all along has wanted some sort of timetable (along with the rest of us) and and an understanding of what might happen with kate. when you meet face to face with a person you definitely get an understanding of what they are thinking. she didn’t sit there for an hour with him and give a speech or talk in politico speech… they all talked. he’s getting his timetable. the governor is now slightly involved after meeting with him yesterday… (personally i think that’s huge). and she has an opponent. plus i think she realizes that everyone (except sw and a few others) want this done and she better not stand in the way.
-Big Van Vader, I’m sure pressure from Isles fans who have been watching her every move, calling her out on her behavior, had to make a difference…Imagine her sitting in her cumfy office chair, everyday, chillin, when all of a sudden, Isles fans start calling the clerks office, pounding her secretary’s, asking for accountability…We have been all over her every move…
Thank god for the internet!
This is better news than the Islanders winning the draft lottery … and I’m not trying to be funny either. This is more important than any one player.
That is all we have asked for .. cooperation and communication between the parties.
I have a feeling that NYS (Gov. Paterson) had a big hand in reassuring Kate that she wasn’t violating any of the tennants of the SEQRA / DEGIS codes in order to allow her to work with the developers … Frankly this project was to big for a single agency to be able to handle in a timely manner … and in a way … I applaud all parties for getting together to share their concerns and make a promise to work together to alay those concerns.
Bravo!!!
I’m glad Kate Murray is finally making face time w/regards to the Lighthouse Project.
Too bad it takes a re-election push to play nice.
“Smile for the cameras Kate!”
More than 8,000 now have tickets to the draft party. At their current rate they will have 12,000 come draft day. If Garth Makes the wrong move here Wang might have absolute certainty by June 24th if fans burn the barn to the ground.
I agree with post 106. I do feel more cautiously optimistic than before, but I agree to still vote her out in November. There is no reason to trust her.
Well at least they are talking, that’s a good start. Caution would be wise but it’s better then we were a week ago. We shall see what develops now and in the next few weeks.
Charlie Wang must have brought a few bags of cash to the meeting!!!
@61
you said that you cant see this as a positive then you say that going form a few weeks ago to now there is a glimmer of hope….huh???
I agree with #118 that anybody and everybody thatis an Isles fan should at least do an attempt to help out McElroy and her campaign (even if they are a republican voter),
there is still no reason to trust Murray, she kind of put herself in a corner with that mailer that got blocked and then saying she was impartial judge….. although weeks before she sent out here idea of just a renovated coli only. (wanting to use US Gov’t money. LOL)
So, she must be voted out! i agree!
Can I ask a stupid question? If we stay in a newer NVMC, isn’t SMG still involved? Aren’t we going to have to negotiate a lease with them AGAIN? Wouldn’t that just open up the opportunity to be screwed again?
Or are we just relying on the LHP adding so much revenue to Wang’s pockets that he will spend more on talent for the Islanders?
Let’s get the ball rolling and let Tavares generate some new buzz and excitement!
Glad to read, but it’s hard to be optimistic.
This is good news but can you really trust Murray
I don’t at all and I will continue to boo and pressure her to get this project. Done
Kev #122, my understanding is the lease expires in 2015, so after that its between Wang and the County to negotiate a management deal for the NVMC. SMG is out of the picture.
Dont get worried about the word “renovation” its the same thing as having a whole new building. Its basically the same thing as when u redo a whole house as long as your leaving up 1 main wall i belive you get tax breaks etc.
We wont notice the same old building.
Things sound so much better for us isles fans!
After today, I have to say, I am cautiously optimistic.
Everyone join MAKEITSEVEN.ca Move the Coyotes to Hamilton so Balsille wont target us in October!
It’s bad enough teams left Winnipeg, Quebec and Hartford. I don’t want to see teams moved anymore, I hate when fans and get left behind. Screw Balsillie and I hope the Coyotes stay in Phoenix.
pretty sure mr wang would renegotiate the lease before pouring a few hundred million into the renovation
you still need some type of arena management be it smg or someone else.
#121 - Read it again. I said I can’t understand how some of the posters here couldn’t see it as positive. Geez.
Newsday has two articles today on the meeting that were updated late last night…have a look.
To Kev: 122 - Absolutely NOT. Once that contract expires, they would have to bid on the contract like anyone else. What I SUSPECT Wang would do - SHOULD do - is form his own facilities firm and hire his own team to manage the building. The big issue with the current lease is that back in the heyday, Pickett gave away all those dollars for parking, concessions, etc. because he wanted 100% of the revenue from the luxury boxes. That was the trade off. Well it was a horrible deal in hindsight but that’s where it all came from. So NOW, Wang is going to have his revenue streams back (Of course provided it all goes through). What also could very well happen is WHEN (not if lol) the LH project breaks ground, Charles can go to SMG and say: “Well fellas, we’re going to be here for a long time. Your conract is done in 2015…if you want to be here running the facility, we need to rip up the contract and fix it. Else, it’s just going to expire and I won’t even entertain SMG as a possible facility management partner.” Suffice it to say, there would be a lot of options for Charles if the LH gets the green light and this situation will be fixed.
I want to work for the Lighthouse Project!
At this point, I am cautiously optimistic.
Given that Murray and Mondello have exhibited almost antagonistic stubborn opposition (by action, if not by word), the proximity of an election is very curious to this signal to cooperate in a small degree. Are they try to protect against charges that they will not even meet with the developers? The fact is that they will always play to their political base, which in this case is the NIMBY residents who are living in the past, when their little ranchers and cape cods were their pride and joy palaces in a field of dreams suburban community.
They do not want an asolphalt jungle there. Let us hope that the Pols are finally seeing the light to a future TOH which will be imperfect but will have great benefit also.
Let us hope t
@132 Pete, hi i am Pete also
Oh ok i see now, believe me i believe in teh LH in Wang and I have always had hope for the LH
some people just like to be pessimists and use fear because it is infectious, like a computer virus, and it has to be unlearned….but these pessimists that still dont think the LH will get done, we cant help them, they need to help themselves. Fear is like their drug of choice, or like the food they over eat. They will need to want to change, because i am sure 100% that the LH is not the only thing the are pessimistic and fearful on. We cant help them.
Oh well this is a good day and if Murray doesnt move quick enough people will vote her out.
I think its quite refreshing to see Murray’s 189 degree turn…Check out her Facebook page, she all of a sudden proactive and talking about working together on the LHP…http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Murray/89567362045?ref=mf
Negative people get lost it is going to happen